Padel
Doubles on a small court with glass walls you can play off.
Start here
- What is padel?How the game works, the court, the kit and how many people play in Britain.
- How to play padelA beginner's guide: the kit you need, first shots, where to stand and booking a game.
- Padel rulesThe serve, playing off the walls, losing a point and the 2026 scoring options.
Gear
- Best padel rackets for beginnersSix forgiving rackets from about £25 to £70.
- Padel rackets by budgetPicks under £50, £100 and £150.
- Best padel shoesWhich sole to choose, and six shoes from £40.
- Best padel ballsSpeed or control, and eight balls from £1.25 each.
- Best padel bagsThermal racket bags and backpacks from £11.
Pickleball
A paddle game on a badminton-sized court, easy to pick up.
Start here
- What is pickleball?Where it came from, how it's played and who plays it in the UK.
- How to play pickleballA beginner's guide: kit, first shots, doubles positioning and finding a game.
- Pickleball rulesThe serve, the two-bounce rule, the kitchen and how scoring works.